Luggage table



Sept. 6, 1960 A, s. AMLOTTE LUGGAGE TABLE GN @EN @NJN wx NNQNN if@ sept. 6, 1960 Filed May l2, 1958 A. S. AMLOTTE LUGGAGE TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ffm INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent O This invention relates to a luggage carrier, and it parsecured both to the strips 18 and to the adjacent portions of the under-surface of the top 16. There are four such L-shaped brackets 20, one adjacent each corner of the `top 16. To each of these strips 18, adjacent an end thereof, is pivotally connected, as by pivot pins 22, a leg 24. By means of this pivotal connection, the legs 24 are foldable into a collapsed position generally parallel with the adjacent strip 18 and with one leg above the other (as indicated in dotted outline in Figs. 2 and 6). From this collapsed position, the legs 24 can be moved into upright, supporting position (as indicated in ticularly relates to a luggage carrier which is easily converted into a table and benches.

Luggage carriers `which are convertible to tables and benches are extremely useful on long automobile trips, or on picnics and outings. Such convertible carriers are not, in themselves, new; however, all such prior devices were either too flimsy and insecure to serve adequately either as a luggage carrier or table and benches, or were so cornplex and difficult to assemble that it was quite infeasible to use them without having a supply of tools available.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a convertible luggage carrier of the above type which is simple in construction and easy to assemble without the necessity of using any special tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a convertible luggage carrier of the above type which is adapted to be easily secured to an automobile or similar vehicle.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved convertible luggage carrier, of the character described, that is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and which is highly efficient in operation.

With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a device embodying the present invention, the device being in assembled condition.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the device applied to the top of an automobile.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the device separated into its component parts as table and benches.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 3.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there is shown a combined luggage carrier and table and bench set, generally designated 10, which comprises as separate parts, a table 12 and a pair of benches 14.

The table `12 comprises a top 16 of generally elongated, rectangular shape. Spaced inwardly from each end of the top 16, on the under-surface of the top, is a strip 18. Each of these strips 18 is held in place by L-shaped "brackets 20 screwed, bolted or otherwise full lines in Figs. 5 and 6).

The benches 14 each comprise a top 26; and adjacent each end and inwardly of the ends of the top 26, on the under-surface of this top 26 are provided legs 28. These legs 28 are hinged to the under-surface of the top 26 by means of hinge brackets 30. The legs 28 hingedly move from the folded position parallel with the top 26 (as in Fig. l and 2) to the open position (illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6). When the legs 28 move into their open position, they abut against corresponding stops or supports 32. The supports 32 are connected to the undersurface of the top 26 by means of L-shaped brackets 34 connected to the legs 28 and top 26 by means of screws, bolts or any other desired means.

When the benches 14 are set up in position with the legs 28 extended (as in Fig. 5), hooks 36, connected to the under-surface of the top 26, as at 38, are releasably secured to eyelets I40 on legs 28 to lock them in place.

When the above-described table and benches are to be assembled to form a luggage carrier, the legs 24 of the table 12 are folded into the position shown in Fig. 1

(and indicated in dotted outline in Figs. 3 and 6). Then' the legs 28 of the benches 174 are folded into the position shown in Fig. 1, and the folded benches are placed on the folded table 12 along each longitudinal edge thereof (as shown in Figs. 1, Z and 3). In this position, the hooks 36 of the benches 14 are connected to eyelets 42 on the strips 18.

ln order to complete the luggage carrier assembly, a board strip 44 is placed, edge-to-edge, on top of the strip 18 at each end of the table 12 (as shown in Fig. 3) and a pair of spring fingers 46 connected to each strip 44 are engaged over the corresponding strip 18. Then/rods 48, having heads .49 at one end, are passed through corresponding openings in -the tops 16 of the benches 14 cross-Wise of the assembly and adjacent the outer surface of the corresponding strip 44. They are then held in place by wing nuts 50. When assembled in this manner, there is provided a most adequate storage and luggage carrier with full, deep walls on each of the four sides.

The assembled luggage carrier can be mounted on a vehicle in any desired manner. In Fig. 3, it is shown mounted on the roof of an automobile r52, by means of suction cups 514, which may be detachably secured through the table top by bolts and wing nuts 56.

vAlthough this invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention 4is to be determined as claimed.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

A combination luggage carrier and table and bench set comprising a table having a flat, rectangular top and collapsible legs hinged to the under-surface of said top, and a pair of benches comprising flat, elongated seat tops having a collapsible leg hinged to the under-surface thereof adjacent each end, the legs of said table folding inward-ly into a position underlying the table top and the 'legs of the benches folding inwardly into spaced positions substantially parallel with the bench tops, said benches, with their legs in folded position, being adapted to be placed on edge on the under-surface of the table top adjacent opposite edges of the table top, each of said benches having an aperture adjacent each end, and means securing said benches in position on said table, said securing means comprising eye means on said table cooperati ing with hook means holding said benches on said table in luggage carrier position, additional securement means on said bench legs cooperating with said securing means holding said bench legs in vertical support position, a support strip adjacent each of two opposite ends of said table, positioned between said benches when in assembled position and acting as endwise supports for said benches, additional support strips positionable in edgeto-edge abutment with said irst mentioned Vsupport strips, spring clips on said strips holding said additional strips in engagement with said support strips, and means including removable transverse rods extending through said apertures in said benches, and wing nuts on said rods for securing said additional strips in place, said support strips being positioned on the under side of said table spaced from and adjacent to the corresponding ends of the table top, one of said collapsible legs being hingedly connected to each end of each supporting strip, each oflsaid benches comprising a top and a pair of legs hingedly connected to the under side of said top, and benchcarrying support strips dependingly secured to `the under side of each bench top adjacent a bench leg to brace said bench leg when the bench leg is in vertical support position.

References Cited in the ini-le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS VSwitzerland e Sept. 15, 1956 im l, 

